Page 52 of Fall I Want
“Morning,” he says, placing a kiss on my cheek. I reach up and instinctively run my fingers up the side of his neck. He pulls away, meeting my eyes before walking past me to the register.
Mr. Henry, one of our regulars, waggles his brows at me as he enters. One of the fairy godmothers, Mrs. Blanchard, gives me a wink. A smile takes over and I try to push it away as the dining room fills with customers.
Zane chats with Blaire and I set the flowers in a vase on the shelf for everyone to enjoy.
The order prints out and on the side it says:Your boyfriend. Large. Order: Surprise him with your yummy goodness.
I glare at Blaire and she snickers as I make him my favorite drink—a mocha with homemade whip. I prepare it as if I’d be drinking it and only hope that he enjoys it. Not sure I can be friends with someone who despises what I love.
Two minutes later, I walk to the edge of the counter and say his name. He pushes off the wall and stalks toward me wearing a small smile.
“Alex,” I whisper, handing his cup to him, and our fingers brush together.
He twists it around and reads what Blaire wrote on the side and chuckles.
“Don’t say a word,” I warn.
“That’s no way to treat your boyfriend.”
“You two are super cute,” Julie says between us, encouraging it.
Before I can say anything, my attention is pulled away by Sebastian entering. Zane spots him too.
“Please, meet me outside,” Zane says.
“Right now?” I ask.
“Yes.” We hold a silent conversation and I turn to Julie. “I’ll be back.”
“Okay.” She glances at Sebastian. I walk around the counter and Zane holds his hand out toward me. I take it and he leads me past Sebastian, outside, to the edge of the sidewalk.
Then he takes one step forward, leaning in and whispers in my ear, “May I kiss you?”
My body burns with anticipation because I know a kiss never lies. I study him and nod, giving him all the permission he needs. His large hand rests softly on my cheek and his mouth gently slides across mine. I grab his shirt with my fist and our tongues slide together. It’s explosive, instant fireworks. He tastes like spearmint and smells like fresh mountain air.
It shouldn’t feel like this. It shouldn’t feel like home. It shouldn’t feel like I want to do this again and again and again. But it does. My body buzzes and the sensation nearly brings me to my knees as the kiss deepens further. I whimper against him and I’m lost in this moment. Nothing else in the world matters.
As if Zane realizes we’ve gone too far, he gently pulls away, his swollen lips hovering above mine as he fists my hair.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like that,” he whispers, placing his fingers on my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes, and I drown.
“I know,” I say.
He takes a step back, creating much-needed space. We crossed a line, one we probably shouldn’t have, even if we’ve walked it finely so far.
“See you tonight, Pumpkin,” he says.
“Yes,” I say, surprised I can even form words because I’m pretty sure he stole my soul when our lips touched.
Zane shoots me a wink and chuckles. “Perfect coffee, babe.”
He raises his cup, then walks away. I watch him, stunned, and when I come back to reality and turn around, I realize the entire coffee shop witnessed our first kiss. Immediately, I tuck my hair behind my ears and walk in.
Julie and Blaire smile wide as the room bursts into applause and encouragement from regulars.
“Marry that man,” a woman yells from the back, and I laugh.
As I pass my ex, I realize Zane was sending an obvious message—I’m with him. Fake or not, I think Sebastian understands that now.
